Police chiefs meet with Obama on mass shootings

The president is meeting the police chiefs from Aurora, Colorado, Oak Creek, Wisconsin, and Newtown, Connecticut.

By Nedra Pickler
Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says he wants police from three communities that have experienced mass shootings and across the U.S. to help convince Congress to pass gun legislation.

Obama said no group is more important than law enforcement officals in the gun debate. He said he recognizes the issue "elicits a lot of passion all across the country" but that Congress will pay attention to police.

In this Jan. 16, 2013, file photo, President Barack Obama, accompanied by Vice President Joe Biden, talks about proposals to reduce gun violence at the White House in Washington. (AP Image)

The president spoke as he met at the White House with the heads of the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the Major County Sheriffs Association, members of his Cabinet and chiefs that responded to the worst shootings of 2012 in Aurora, Colorado, Oak Creek, Wisconsin, and Newtown, Connecticut.

Copyright 2013 Associated Press

Copyright 2015 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.